investigative consumer report

An investigative consumer report is a type of consumer report that includes information about a person’s character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living, obtained primarily through personal interviews with acquaintances or others familiar with the individual. 
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681a, an investigative consumer report differs from a standard consumer report in that it relies on personal interviews rather than solely on factual data such as credit history. These reports are commonly used for employment, housing, insurance, or licensing decisions. The FCRA limits how investigative consumer reports may be used and requires that individuals be notified before one is prepared. Consumers also have the right to request disclosure of the information gathered and to dispute inaccuracies.

Some states, such as California under Cal. Civ. Code § 1786.2, define investigative consumer reports more broadly to include any report containing information about a person’s character or reputation, regardless of the method used to obtain it.

[Last reviewed in October of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team] 

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